On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Clintwood
Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal, and for structures over 150 square feet or structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also apply. Town zoning approval may be required separately from the county building permit.
Detached one-story accessory structures not greater than 256 square feet (Virginia USBC exemption; county uses a 150-square-foot rule of thumb for requiring permits)
Fences, unless otherwise required by code
Certain retaining walls and masonry walls below stated size thresholds
Certain small, shallow pools
Certain tents
Flagpoles not over 30 feet
Certain low-voltage equipment and wiring
Ordinary repairs as described in the Virginia USBC
- Exempt Detached one-story accessory structures not greater than 256 square feet (Virginia USBC exemption; county uses a 150-square-foot rule of thumb for requiring permits)
- Exempt Fences, unless otherwise required by code
- Exempt Certain retaining walls and masonry walls below stated size thresholds
- Exempt Certain small, shallow pools
- Exempt Certain tents
- Exempt Flagpoles not over 30 feet
- Exempt Certain low-voltage equipment and wiring
- Exempt Ordinary repairs as described in the Virginia USBC
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Town of Clintwood zoning requirements. Town zoning approval may be required even when a county building permit is not. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department and the Town of Clintwood before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed Dickenson County permit application (with Town of Clintwood checkbox marked)
- Site address and tax map number
- Project cost estimate
- Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval for the site
- Floor plan
- Description of materials
- Stairway detail (if stairs are installed)
- Contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor
- Building Permit Approval Form signed by the Dickenson County Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer
- Town of Clintwood zoning approval or clearance (if required by the town zoning ordinance)
- Town of Clintwood Business License (if a business will operate on the premises)
- Building code
- 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and county erosion and sediment control program, with future amendments incorporated by reference.
- Permit validity
- Under the Virginia USBC, an issued permit may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Upon written request, the building official may grant extensions of up to 1 year each.
- Owner-builder
- Owners who personally perform trade work may write 'Self' in the applicable contractor sections of the county permit application and must complete an Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of contractor licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance, and proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid. The permit application requires the correct Virginia contractor specialty license for residential building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. Verify contractor licenses through the Virginia DPOR License Lookup.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Completing the application takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes; the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete and prerequisite approvals from the Health Department or DEQ are in hand.
- 01 Confirm the property is within Clintwood town limits. Building permits are issued by the Dickenson County Building Department, whose official jurisdiction expressly includes the Town of Clintwood.
- 02 Review the Town of Clintwood zoning ordinance to determine whether the proposed project requires a town zoning approval, special use permit, variance, or other local land-use approval before or alongside the county building permit.
- 03 Obtain the county permit application. The Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application includes a Town of Clintwood checkbox and sections for all required trade contractor licenses.
- 04 Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, stairway detail if installed, contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor for owner-performed work.
- 05 Obtain Treasurer approval by completing the Building Permit Approval Form through the Dickenson County Treasurer's Office. Also obtain any required Health Department or DEQ prerequisite approvals.
- 06 If a business will operate in town limits, obtain the Town of Clintwood Business License. Virginia permit law requires proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance.
- 07 Submit the complete county building permit package and pay the assessed fees. The county states completing the application takes about 15 to 30 minutes and the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete.
- 08 After issuance, post the permit on site. Schedule and pass required county inspections at each stage of construction.
Typical processing time: Completing the application takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes; the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete and prerequisite approvals from the Health Department or DEQ are in hand.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Clintwood building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No general minimum fee published for all permit types.
02
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction and modular homes: $0.07 per square foot; unfinished basements: $0.03 per square foot; finished basements: $0.05 per square foot; commercial new construction: $0.15 per square foot; alterations or repairs without enlargement: $0.05 per square foot; additions and enlargements at the same rate as new construction. Singlewide manufactured homes: $51.00; doublewide manufactured homes: $91.80. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies to all permit fees.
Fees must be paid to the Dickenson County Building Department before permit issuance. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies. Treasurer approval is also required before issuance. Separate town business-license fees may apply.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (276) 926-1673 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: No full inspection sequence is publicly posted. Based on county scope, inspections may include building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, erosion and sediment, blower door and duct blaster, and asbestos-related review as applicable. Permanent electric service requires evidence of a certificate of occupancy under the county ordinance.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Clintwood permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Clintwood, VA? ▸
Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal, and for structures over 150 square feet or structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also apply. Town zoning approval may be required separately from the county building permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Clintwood, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Clintwood, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No general minimum fee published for all permit types.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction and modular homes: $0.07 per square foot; unfinished basements: $0.03 per square foot; finished basements: $0.05 per square foot; commercial new construction: $0.15 per square foot; alterations or repairs without enlargement: $0.05 per square foot; additions and enlargements at the same rate as new construction. Singlewide manufactured homes: $51.00; doublewide manufactured homes: $91.80. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies to all permit fees..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Clintwood, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Clintwood, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the property is within Clintwood town limits. Building permits are issued by the Dickenson County Building Department, whose official jurisdiction expressly includes the Town of Clintwood. 2. Review the Town of Clintwood zoning ordinance to determine whether the proposed project requires a town zoning approval, special use permit, variance, or other local land-use approval before or alongside the county building permit. 3. Obtain the county permit application. The Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application includes a Town of Clintwood checkbox and sections for all required trade contractor licenses. 4. Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, stairway detail if installed, contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor for owner-performed work. 5. Obtain Treasurer approval by completing the Building Permit Approval Form through the Dickenson County Treasurer's Office. Also obtain any required Health Department or DEQ prerequisite approvals. 6. If a business will operate in town limits, obtain the Town of Clintwood Business License. Virginia permit law requires proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance. 7. Submit the complete county building permit package and pay the assessed fees. The county states completing the application takes about 15 to 30 minutes and the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete. 8. After issuance, post the permit on site. Schedule and pass required county inspections at each stage of construction.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Clintwood, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Clintwood, VA typically run Completing the application takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes; the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete and prerequisite approvals from the Health Department or DEQ are in hand.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Clintwood, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Clintwood, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Detached one-story accessory structures not greater than 256 square feet (Virginia USBC exemption; county uses a 150-square-foot rule of thumb for requiring permits); Fences, unless otherwise required by code; Certain retaining walls and masonry walls below stated size thresholds; Certain small, shallow pools; Certain tents; Flagpoles not over 30 feet; Certain low-voltage equipment and wiring; Ordinary repairs as described in the Virginia USBC. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Town of Clintwood zoning requirements. Town zoning approval may be required even when a county building permit is not. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department and the Town of Clintwood before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Clintwood, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Clintwood, VA via: (276) 926-1673.
last verified April 2026
source Dickenson County Building Department (building permits); Town of Clintwood (zoning and town business licenses) ↗
entry id permits/virginia/dickenson/clintwood
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Dickenson County Building Department (building permits); Town of Clintwood (zoning and town business licenses) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.